January 23, 1977 Alex Haley’s award-winning narrative “Roots” is adapted for television in a landmark mini-series that would explore black people’s forced journey from Africa […]
Category: This Week in Black History
This Week in Black History
December 26, 1966 Black historian Maulana Ron Karenga introduces Kwanzaa, a non-religious holiday designed to celebrate African and African-American culture. The holiday honors seven core […]
This Week in Black History
December 20, 1956 The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. announces the end of a 381-day bus boycott against the city of Montgomery, Ala., after city […]
This Week in Black History
October 24, 1935 Langston Hughes’ play “Mulatto” opens in New York, becoming the first black-authored play to become a long-running Broadway hit. It holds the […]
This Week in Black History
October 16, 1968 San Jose State track stars Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised gloved fists during a medal ceremony at the Summer Olympics in […]
This Week in Black History
October 9, 1975 Former all-star outfielder Frank Robinson is named manager of the Cleveland Indians, becoming the first black manager of a major league professional […]
This Week in Black History
October 5, 1985 Grambling State University defeats Prairie View A&M 27-7, giving Grambling coach Eddie Robinson 324 career victories in college football, breaking the legendary […]
This Week in Black History
September 17, 1983 Vanessa Williams becomes the first black woman to be crowned Miss America. Though smart, talented and beautiful, Williams was subjected to hate […]
This Week in Black History
September 12, 1992 Chicago physician Dr. Mae Jemison becomes the first African-American woman in space when the space shuttle Endeavour lifts off from the Kennedy […]
This Week in Black History
August 30, 1967 The U.S. Senate confirms the appointment of Thurgood Marshall to the U.S. Supreme Court by President Lyndon Johnson. Marshall, who argued before […]